Elemental composition of some building materials used in Zaria, Kaduna State

Abstract

This study investigates the elemental composition of Cement, Granite, Ceramic tiles and Plaster of Paris (POP) which are extensively used as building material in Zaria, Kaduna State. X-ray fluorescence (XRF) technique was employed in this work to determine the elemental composition of the building materials. The samples were crushed to a fine powder, sieved through a 250 mm mesh and dried in an oven at 110⁰ C to ensure the complete removal of moisture. The results showed the presence of (Mg, Al, Si, Ca, Fe, Sn, Cl, Ti, S, P, Mn, Co, Zn, Mo, Pb, Cr,V, Cu, Br, Cd, Ba, Hg, and Ni)  in various concentrations. Mg, Al, Si, Ca, Fe, Sn, Cl, Ti and S were available in relatively high concentration in all the samples with P, Mn, Co, Zn, Mo and Pb, found in relatively lower concentrations in some of the samples while Cr and Ni were only present in Ceramic tile samples; which was attributed to coloring agents used in the tile making process. This shows that the elemental composition is in agreement with the composition of the earth crust which is the source of the building materials. The analysis is of importance and useful to the construction industry as well as dwellers of the Zaria built environment.

Keyword: Composition, Plaster of Paris, Cement, Granite, Ceramic Tile